Rachel Weaver’s PrayerSite

The surgeons have made the final decision regarding the shunt, Rachel needs it.  Her brain is beginning to swell since it cannot drain the excess fluid.  This is good news and bad news for Rachel.  She can continue her recovery and get out of the hospital sooner, but she really didn’t want to have another surgery.  Pray that she will have an accepting spirit and know that this is the way God has chosen for her. 

For those of you who are wondering:  Ventricular shunt is a surgical procedure in which a tube is placed in one of the fluid-filled chambers inside the brain (ventricles). The fluid around the brain and the spinal column is called the cerebrospinal fluid.  The ventricular shunt tube is placed to drain fluid from the ventricular system in the brain to the cavity of the abdomen.  The tubing contains valves to insure that fluid can only flow out of the brain and not back into it.

The surgery has been scheduled for 3:00 pm and will take about an hour. 

John 14:27 - Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

No decision has been made on the shunt at this time.  The doctors have requested a CT scan and will look to see if the brain is swollen.  Rachel is draining some, but still not completely on her own.  She has accepted the fact that she may need the shunt, but still doesn’t want it.  The surgeon has schedule the surgery for this afternoon, but if she’s doing well enough they will cancel it. 

Rachel is doing well and this is the issue that is tying her down.  Having the tube in her head limits her movements and abilities.  She just wants to be up and about. 

Cherie just called with good news, we hope.  Rachel’s brain is draining the fluid on it’s own.  However, it’s not fast enough and the pressure inside is still too high.  The doctor will make the final decision between 6:00 and 7:00 am.  Keep praying that her body will absorb the fluid and that no shunt will be needed. 

Psalm 143:1 - O LORD, hear my prayer, listen to my cry for mercy; in your faithfulness and righteousness come to my relief.

Dear Friends and Family,

How can we thank you all enough for your prayers on our behalf?  Thank you as well to everyone who checks in on Rachel through this site.  God is truly amazing!  It’s wonderful to watch His strength as he heals Rachel. 

Speech, Physical and Occupational Therapy has been progressing well.  The Children’s rehabilitation doctor came to visit Rachel yesterday and evaluate her.  After seeing her progress in just these few days, they’re not sure she would benefit from the inpatient rehab program.  No firm decision has been made as they are waiting for a decision on the shunt and for Rachel to be disconnected from all her lines so they can complete a more thorough exam testing her physical capabilities as well.

The neurosurgery team popped in this afternoon with news… Rachel is still draining too much spinal fluid (her body is not absorbing enough).  If the drainage continues to remain high, a shunt will be inserted tomorrow!  Rachel is scared of another operation, but God is still able to eliminate the need for one.  Thank you for praying with us about this urgent need!  We will definately keep you all posted as soon as we have word.

Cherie

P.S. Rachel wanted to say a few things:

Thank you for praying for me.  I’m doing fine.  My eyes are a little better but please pray they get even better.  I’m not draining well so I might need a shunt.  I’m a little scared.  Please keep praying for me.

Love,

Rachel

May God bless each and every one of you prayer warriors a hundred times over for the prayers on behalf of Rachel and our family!  God has been so faithful to answer!

Rachel continues to grow in strength.  She started physical therapy this morning.  It was enjoyable (playing games like Uno and Connect Four, blowing bubbles) but limited by her connection to the IV and ventric lines.  Each time she is up to walk, even just a little way, you can see her strength returning.

We met with the neurosurgery team again this evening and they will hold off making a decision on the shunt until the end of this week or even early next week.  Not exactly what we were hoping to hear, but God is in control and will continue to guide our steps through this process.  Please continue to pray God will heal Rachel’s body to drain the spinal fluid naturally, thus avoiding the need for a shunt.

Those who have visited know Rachel is wearing an eyepatch because her eyes are a bit “googly”.  Now that the pressure in her brain is released, her eyes really have no muscle control yet.  This is Rachel’s biggest frustration as it causes strange double-vision.  Please pray for patience for her (and us) and wisdom for the doctors as they decide the best treatment for this.

Many thanks for the visits, letters and calls…we truly feel the love of God through you!

Cherie

Friday night and Saturday morning Rachel was still dealing with the disorientation.  The doctors said the medicine and lack of sleep were the cause of it, so they lowered her dosage of medicine and that helped.  By Saturday afternoon Rachel was acting more like herself.  Saturday night was very restful and she was lucid.  Rachel slept until 2:30 am, when she woke up and asked to sit in her chair.  She did until 4:30 am, during that time she read the Bible with her Dad and prayed. 

Rachel would like people to pray for the fluid in her brain to drain properly into her body.  And for her eyesight to improve.  Lastly, for her throat to stop hurting when she talks. 

Rachel slept until 7:00 on Sunday and it has been a great day.  God is answering prayer.  She is normal Rachel.  She is very concerned about her head (does not want a shunt).  Rachel has been eating and drinking (4 glasses of OJ, today).  She loves having strawberries and smoothies.  Rachel has been sitting up most of the day and blew bubbles for her cousins.  This exercises her lungs.  She enjoys having visitors.  There has been no confusion today, which has been a blessing to her family.  She has been laughing and smiling with her family. 

Prayer Requests: Strength for her body as she begins therapy tomorrow at 9:30.  Her eyesight will improve and that she will not have a shunt put in.  The doctors are making a decision on the shunt tomorrow, so this one is urgent. 

Thanks for your prayers.  God is surrounding us with His love and we feel his presence around us.  We are praising God for all the answers to prayer on Rachel’s behalf. 

In Christ our Savior,  John & Cherie & Michael

Thank you all for your thoughts and prayers! You are all a blessing to us.  Rachel had a rough night.  She is sometimes confused about where she is (combination of the medicine, surgery and a lack of sleep).  We will have many funny stories to tell her when she is fully recovered.Over all she is still healing well, but this will take time.  She is walking and she sat in a chair all morning.  She is smiling. J

Cherie & John

Josh and I (Candi) were able to take the kids and go visit Rachel this morning.  What a blessing to see her sitting up in the rocking chair!  Better still she was smiling.  We are so thankful that she is getting stronger everyday.  We were able to have a conversation with her and she encouraged the kids to touch her hands and feet.  What a mighty God we serve! 

On a side note, Rachel’s parents are doing better too.  They both looked more rested and relaxed today.  They appreciate all the notes, calls and prayers. 

Here are a few ways to contact Rachel & her family.

Send an email - visit www.seattlechildrens.org - click send email to a patient

Send a card or letter:  Rachel Weaver, Room 3021 - Seattle Children’s Hospital - PO Box 5371  Seattle, WA 98105

If you would like to send a gift or flowers:  4800 Sand Point Way NE  Seattle, WA 98105

Keep praying…God’s listening. 

Rachel has been doing so well! She’s been exceeding her doctor’s expectations.  She is quite determined and eager to do everything the therapists ask of her.

Pray for: Good drainage of spinal fluid to avoid the insertion of a shunt. They will try to wean her off the ventric drain over the next few days.

Rachel was moved to a regular room this morning.  She is talking, moving and eating; jello a banana and then some pizza and doritos.  She got up and walked a bit, twice.

She is still meeting and exceeding all expectations in the recovery process. 

Visitors are welcome, but please call first.